The national search for a new dean of the School of Social Work has landed close to home with the selection of Kyaien Connor, director of Pitt’s Center for Race and Social Problems, to head the school starting July 15.

Connor, who holds four degrees from Pitt, will succeed Dean Betsy Farmer, who announced in November that she planned to step down from the role she’s held since 2018 and return to the faculty next month.

Conner returned to Pitt in 2023 as a professor in the School of Social Work and as director of the Center for Race and Social Problems. As a student at Pitt, she previously earned a BS in psychology, masters and PhD in social work and masters in public health with a specialization in minority health and health disparities.

She began her academic career at the University of South Florida. Her research examines the drivers of disparities in health and mental health care access, utilization, and outcomes. Her work is dedicated to advancing responsive behavioral health interventions.

Connor currently serves as principal investigator of a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) award evaluating a transitions-in-care intervention aimed at reducing health disparities among patients discharged from hospitals with co-occurring chronic illness and mental illness. She is also co-investigator on a multi-site National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) R01 study focused on training volunteers in low-income communities to deliver brief depression interventions to peers experiencing acute depression, helping to expand community-based mental health support.

Her contributions have earned numerous distinctions, including the University of Pittsburgh Distinguished Alumni Award (2023), the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Civic and Community Engagement at the University of South Florida (2022), and the University of South Florida Black Faculty Member of the Year Award (2021).

“Throughout her career, Dr. Conner has exemplified collaborative leadership, academic excellence and an unwavering commitment to community-building,” Provost Joe McCarthy said in a statement. “I am confident that her vision, energy, and dedication will guide the School of Social Work to even greater impact and distinction in the years ahead.”

The search committee was co-chaired by Eboni Zamani-Gallaher, dean of the School of Education, and Louise Cavanaugh Sciannameo, associate provost for strategic communications.